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Educational trips in Hamburg: Your opportunity for professional and personal development!
Would you like to develop yourself professionally or personally while discovering Hamburg? Educational trips offer you the perfect opportunity! Take advantage of the diverse offerings and government funding to expand your knowledge. Find here the right educational trip for your needs.
The topic, briefly and concisely
Educational Leave in Hamburg allows employees to be granted 10 days of paid leave to continue their professional and personal development. Make use of this right!
The topics for educational trips are diverse and range from political education to professional development. By participating in an educational trip, you can increase employee productivity by up to 10%.
Utilise online platforms like bildungsurlaub-hamburg.de and funding opportunities like the Bildungsgutschein to find and finance the right educational trip. Early planning (at least six weeks in advance) is crucial.
Plan your next educational trip to Hamburg! Learn how you can benefit from government funding and advance your career. Find out now!
Plan your next educational trip to Hamburg! At GoTuro, we want to show you how you can benefit from state funding and advance your career. Our carefully curated packages combine adventure, education, and relaxation to offer you a unique and unforgettable experience. Discover how you can expand your professional skills through continuing education while exploring new horizons. Take advantage of the opportunity to specialize in your field or delve into new topics. We support you in finding the right educational trip and achieving your personal goals.
What are educational trips and educational leave?
Educational trips are theme-specific journeys aimed at imparting knowledge and expanding skills. In contrast, educational leave is a legally enshrined entitlement to paid leave from work to attend recognized further education events. In Hamburg, employees have the option to use up to ten days within two calendar years for their professional development. This entitlement is regulated by the Hamburg Educational Leave Act. The Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Hamburg e.V. offers, for example, educational leaves on socio-political topics, accessible even without a legal entitlement to educational leave.
Why educational trips in Hamburg?
Educational trips in Hamburg offer numerous benefits to both employees and employers. Employees benefit from the opportunity to develop personally and professionally, learn new skills, and deepen their knowledge. Employers, on the other hand, benefit from motivated and qualified employees who enhance their innovation and competitiveness through continuing education. Additionally, by promoting educational trips, companies can strengthen their image as attractive employers and attract professionals. The VHS Hamburg offers a variety of educational leaves, which can be attended both online and in person, making them flexible to integrate into the working day.
Overview of the Article
In this article, we provide you with a comprehensive overview of the topic educational trips in Hamburg. We explain the legal framework and the entitlement to educational leave, present various subject areas and providers, and show you how to find and finance the right educational trip. Additionally, we offer you valuable tips for successful participation and applying what you have learned in your professional life. Our goal is to equip you with all the necessary information so that you can optimally plan and make the most of your next educational trip to Hamburg. Also, take advantage of our internal articles such as Trips for Teachers for further inspiration.
10 days of paid further training: How to use the Hamburg Educational Leave Act
The Hamburger Bildungsurlaubsgesetz is the basis for the entitlement to educational leave in Hamburg. It allows employees to be released for up to ten days within two calendar years for their further education. This leave is granted with continued payment of salary, ensuring employees do not suffer financial losses. The entitlement to educational leave aims to promote personal and professional development and strengthen social participation. The Kursportal WISY provides an overview of recognised courses and informs about the legal framework.
The Hamburger Bildungsurlaubsgesetz
The Hamburger Bildungsurlaubsgesetz sets out the framework for educational leave. Key points include the entitlement to up to 10 days of educational leave within two calendar years, the requirement of at least six months of employment with the company, and the recognition of the educational trip by the Authority for Schools and Vocational Training. The law also governs the application process with the employer and the possible grounds for rejection. It is important to note that the application for educational leave must be submitted to the employer at least six weeks before the course begins. The City of Hamburg's page on educational leave provides detailed information on this.
Who is entitled to educational leave?
All employees working in Hamburg, who have been with their company for at least six months, are entitled to educational leave. This applies to both full-time and part-time employees as well as trainees. Temporary workers are also entitled to educational leave under certain conditions. However, it is important to note that the entitlement to educational leave cannot be transferred to other individuals. The Arbeit und Leben DGB/VHS Hamburg e. V. offers educational leave in the field of political education, open to all interested parties.
Recognition of educational trips
To be recognised as educational leave, the educational trip must meet certain criteria. This includes having a clear educational character and being recognised by the Authority for Schools and Vocational Training. The authority maintains a directory of recognised courses and providers, which can be viewed online. When selecting an educational trip, you should therefore ensure it is listed in the directory. The Online platform Bildungsurlaub Hamburg offers a search function for recognised courses under the Hamburg Educational Leave Act. The accuracy of the data depends on the information provided by the educational providers to the recognition body.
Language courses, politics, psychodrama: Diverse topics for your educational journey in Hamburg
The thematic areas for educational trips in Hamburg are diverse and offer the right option for every interested person. From political education to professional further training and personal development, everything is included. The courses are designed to impart knowledge, expand skills, and promote personal growth. The Rosa Luxemburg Foundation Hamburg (RLS) offers, for example, educational trips and seminars on political and social topics, which are recognised according to the Hamburg Educational Leave Act.
Political Education
In the field of political education, educational trips on socio-political topics are offered. These trips aim to promote understanding of political contexts and encourage active participation in social life. Topics include peace, social justice, digitalisation, urban development, ecology, and anti-racism. The seminars and trips take place both in Hamburg and in other parts of Germany and Europe. The Heinrich Böll Foundation Hamburg e.V. is a recognised provider of educational leave for socio-political topics.
Professional Development
The professional further training encompasses a wide range of courses and seminars aimed at expanding the professional skills of participants. These include language courses, IT courses, and management seminars. Courses preparing for certain professional qualifications or training for new areas of responsibility are also offered. The VHS Hamburg offers a variety of educational leave options in the field of professional further training, available both online and in person.
Personal Development
Alongside political and professional further training, there are also educational trips devoted to personal development. These courses are intended to help participants improve their soft skills, foster self-reflection, and discover their personal strengths. Topics include social competence, psychodrama, and stress management. The Platform Bildungsurlaub Hamburg lists courses that cover social competence and psychodrama.
VHS, DGB, Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung: Find your ideal educational travel provider in Hamburg
In Hamburg, there is a wide variety of providers for educational trips, each differing in their specialisations and offers. Among the most well-known providers are the Volkshochschule Hamburg (VHS), Arbeit und Leben DGB/VHS Hamburg e. V., the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Hamburg e.V., and the Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung Hamburg (RLS). Each of these providers has its own strengths and offers a diverse programme of educational trips on various topics. The Hamburg Course Portal lists many providers of educational trips.
Volkshochschule Hamburg (VHS)
The Volkshochschule Hamburg (VHS) is one of the largest providers of educational trips in Hamburg. It offers a broad range of courses and seminars on various topics, including language courses, IT courses, health courses, and creative courses. The VHS offers both online and in-person courses, allowing participants to flexibly integrate their further education into their workday. The VHS Hamburg offers a variety of educational leaves that can be filtered by categories, course start/end, weekdays, time of day, price range, VHS region, postcode, language level, and instructors.
Arbeit und Leben DGB/VHS Hamburg e. V.
Arbeit und Leben DGB/VHS Hamburg e. V. is a non-profit association specialising in political education. The association offers educational leaves addressing current societal challenges such as peace, social justice, digitalisation, urban development, ecology, and anti-racism. The seminars and trips take place in Hamburg as well as in other parts of Germany and Europe. Arbeit und Leben DGB/VHS Hamburg e. V. offers educational leaves in the field of political education, with registration available exclusively online.
Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Hamburg e.V.
The Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Hamburg e.V. is a foundation affiliated with a political party, advocating for an ecological and social society. The foundation offers educational leaves on socio-political topics, held both within and outside Hamburg. The Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Hamburg e.V. is a recognised provider of educational leaves, accessible even without a legal entitlement to educational leave.
Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung Hamburg (RLS)
The Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung Hamburg (RLS) offers educational trips and seminars on political and social topics, recognised under the Hamburg Educational Leave Act. The RLS is a charitable organisation committed to fair remuneration for speakers and transparent cost calculations. The programmes typically accommodate 15-20 participants and include accommodation (mostly double rooms), programme activities, tour guidance, and local transfers. The Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung Hamburg (RLS) offers educational trips and seminars focusing on political and social topics, both domestically and abroad.
Find the right educational trip: How to make the most of online platforms and course portals
Searching for the right educational trip can be time-consuming. Fortunately, there are numerous online platforms and course portals to assist you. Among the most well-known platforms are bildungsurlaub-hamburg.de and hamburg.kursportal.info. These platforms offer search functions and filter options that allow you to customise the search according to your individual needs. The Hamburg Kursportal provides detailed filters for searching, including course start date, price range, provider, target audience, Hamburg districts, duration, time of day, funding opportunities, type of qualification/certificate, and teaching method.
Online Platforms and Course Portals
bildungsurlaub-hamburg.de is an official platform of the Authority for Schools and Vocational Education, which maintains a directory of recognised courses and providers. The platform offers a search function that allows you to look by subject, provider, location, and period. Moreover, there are provider profiles and course details that offer further information on the individual offerings. The Bildungsurlaub Hamburg platform provides a search function for recognised courses under the Hamburg Education Leave Act. The search results provide course titles, provider information (including phone numbers), and locations.
hamburg.kursportal.info is another course portal offering a variety of educational trips and further education in Hamburg. The portal provides detailed search filters that allow you to tailor the search to your individual needs. There is also a Further Education Telephone, which offers you free and neutral advice. The Hamburg Kursportal lists 44 'educational trip' (Educational Travel) offers.
Search Criteria and Filters
When searching for the right educational trip, you should consider various search criteria and filters. These include the subject, provider, location, period, and price. You should also consider what type of course you prefer (e.g., online course or classroom course) and what prior knowledge you bring. The search functions and filter options of the online platforms and course portals enable you to tailor the search to your individual needs and quickly find the right offer. Make sure that the data is up-to-date, as the City of Hamburg's page on Education Leave recommends verifying the data with the providers.
Registration and Booking
Once you have found the right educational trip, you need to register and book the course. Generally, you will need a registration confirmation, which you must present to your employer. After successful participation, you will receive a certificate, which you must also present to your employer. These documents are important to prove your entitlement to Education Leave. The VHS Hamburg provides information about the necessity of a registration confirmation for approval by the employer and a certificate upon completion for the employer.
Bildungsgutschein, BAföG, Stipends: How to Finance Your Educational Journey in Hamburg
Funding an educational trip can be a challenge. Fortunately, there are various funding options available to assist you with financing. Some of the most well-known funding options include the education voucher, BAföG, and scholarships. In addition, there are further funding opportunities at the federal and state levels. The Kursportal WISY provides an overview of the key funding programmes from the federal government and the city of Hamburg.
Education voucher
The education voucher is a type of funding for further education provided by the Employment Agency or Jobcentre. With the education voucher, you can fully or partially finance the costs of an educational trip or other further education. The requirements for obtaining an education voucher include being unemployed or at risk of unemployment, and that the further education improves your job market prospects. The Kursportal WISY provides information on the federal and city funding programmes in Hamburg.
Additional funding opportunities
In addition to the education voucher, there are further funding opportunities to help finance your educational trip. These include BAföG (Federal Education and Training Assistance Act) and scholarships. BAföG is a government grant for students and trainees, which under certain conditions can also be awarded for educational trips. Scholarships are offered by various foundations and organisations and can also be used to finance educational trips. The Hamburg Kursportal provides detailed filters for searching, including funding opportunities (e.g. education voucher, BAföG).
Costs and personal contribution
Even if you receive funding, you are generally required to bear a personal share of the costs for the educational trip. The amount of the personal share depends on the type of funding and your individual income. Additionally, you are usually responsible for your own travel and accommodation costs. Therefore, it is important to find out about the costs and personal contribution before booking an educational trip. The Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Hamburg e.V. offers educational trips outside Hamburg that include accommodation (double rooms, single rooms available for an additional charge) and half board.
Six weeks lead time: How to optimally organize your educational trip
Organising an educational trip requires thorough planning. Various aspects need to be considered, from applying to your employer to planning the trip and accommodation. Good organisation is crucial for the success of your educational trip. The Kursportal WISY provides information on the booking process.
Application to the Employer
To claim your entitlement to educational leave, you must submit an application to your employer. The deadlines and formal requirements for the application are governed by the Hamburg Educational Leave Act. As a rule, you must submit the application at least six weeks before the course begins. You must attach a confirmation of registration from the course provider to your application. The Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Hamburg e.V. indicates that educational leave applications must be submitted to the employer at least six weeks in advance.
Confirmation and Recognition
After submitting your application to your employer, you will receive a confirmation. You must present this confirmation to the course provider. After successfully participating in the educational trip, you will receive a certificate, which you must present to your employer. These documents are important to prove your entitlement to educational leave. The Rosa Luxemburg Foundation Hamburg (RLS) provides confirmation and recognition documents to participants, for submission to their employers.
Travel Planning and Accommodation
The travel planning and accommodation depend on the type of educational trip. For educational leaves in Hamburg, you usually have to organise travel and accommodation yourself. For educational trips outside of Hamburg, travel and accommodation are often organised by the course provider. There are differences between educational leaves within and outside Hamburg. The Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Hamburg e.V. offers discounted group train trips from Hamburg for educational leaves in Germany. Preparatory meetings are usually held for multi-day seminars outside Hamburg. Individual travel arrangements are preferred over group travel.
Rejection by Employer? Tips for a Successful Educational Journey
Even if you are entitled to educational leave, conflicts may arise with your employer. Your employer can reject the application for educational leave if there are operational necessities or competing leave requests with higher priority. In this case, you should seek a conversation with your employer and try to find an amicable solution. The Kursportal WISY informs that employers can only refuse applications for educational leave due to compelling operational reasons or competing leave requests with higher priority.
Conflicts with the Employer
If your employer rejects your application for educational leave, you should first check whether the rejection is lawful. Your employer may only refuse the application if there are operational necessities or competing leave requests with higher priority. If you believe the rejection is not lawful, you can contact the relevant authority or a union. It is important that you know your rights and stand up for them. The Kursportal WISY informs that employers can only refuse applications for educational leave due to compelling operational reasons or competing leave requests with higher priority.
Motivation and Time Management
Successful participation in an educational trip requires motivation and good time management. Set clear goals for the educational trip and plan your time effectively. Use the time during the educational trip to engage deeply with the content and to make new contacts. After the educational trip, you should reflect on what you have learned and consider how you can apply it in your professional life. GoTuro course trips offer you the opportunity to exchange ideas with other participants and benefit from their experiences.
Sustainability and Transfer
To derive the maximum benefit from your educational trip, you should integrate what you have learned sustainably into your professional everyday life. Regularly reflect on your experiences and consider how you can apply what you have learned in your workday. Discuss your experiences with colleagues and supervisors and exchange ideas on possible improvements. This is the only way to ensure that the educational trip has lasting positive effects on your professional development. Use our internal articles like the Berlin course trip for further inspiration.
Educational trips: Your key to personal and professional development in Hamburg
More useful links
The Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Hamburg e.V. offers educational holidays on socio-political topics.
The VHS Hamburg provides a wide range of educational holidays in various formats.
Kursportal WISY offers an overview of recognised courses and legal frameworks on the topic of educational leave.
The City of Hamburg's page on educational leave provides detailed information about educational leave in Hamburg.
Arbeit und Leben DGB/VHS Hamburg e. V. offers educational holidays in the field of political education.
The Online Platform Bildungsurlaub Hamburg allows you to search for recognised courses under the Hamburg Educational Leave Act.
The Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung Hamburg (RLS) offers educational trips and seminars on political and social issues.
FAQ
What exactly is Bildungsurlaub in Hamburg?
Bildungsurlaub is a legally enshrined entitlement for employees in Hamburg that allows them to take up to 10 days within two calendar years off for recognised further training events. Your salary is continued during this time.
Who is entitled to Bildungsurlaub in Hamburg?
All employees who work in Hamburg and have been employed for at least six months in their company are entitled to Bildungsurlaub. This applies to full-time, part-time employees, and trainees.
What topics are covered by educational trips in Hamburg?
The topics are diverse and range from political education (e.g., peace, social justice) to professional development (e.g., language courses, IT courses) to personal development (e.g., social skills, stress management).
How do I find a suitable educational trip in Hamburg?
Use online platforms like bildungsurlaub-hamburg.de or hamburg.kursportal.info. These offer search functions and filter options to tailor the search to your individual needs.
How do I finance my educational trip in Hamburg?
There are various funding options, such as the education voucher, BAföG, or scholarships. Find out about the conditions and possibilities on the respective portals.
How far in advance must I apply for Bildungsurlaub?
The application for Bildungsurlaub must usually be submitted to your employer at least six weeks
